Hicks Theory of the Attitude Towards God and Sin

Hicks Theory of the Attitude Towards God and Sin Many Christians usually find it difficult to explain how both good and evil coexist at the same time. This fact makes this issue a popular subject for many Christian and non-Christian philosophers. On the other hand, their points of view result in arguments. One of the philosophers who have contributed to this debate is John Hick. His work on the soul-making project has elicited varied reactions. Both sides support their arguments in a number of ways.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Hick’s Theory of the Attitude Towards God and Sin specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, Hick’s soul-making project is one of the most influential philosophies addressing the attitude towards God and sin. A theoretical analysis of Hick’s theodicy offers satisfactory insight into how an infinitely powerful God might permit evil to exist or even happen. Both the weak and the strong points of Hick’s argument wi ll be evaluated in the paper. One of the ways in which Hick put his point across is to refer to Augustine theorists. He refuted their claims that human beings were given the autonomy to choose their path. Moreover, he disputed the claim that humans and some angels misused this freedom and subsequently brought trouble on themselves. Finally, Hick disagreed with the notion that evil came about after human beings committed the sin. Therefore, he concluded that malevolence was not a punishment for the original transgression. Hick’s soul-making project defends the antagonism to Augustinian theorists by quipping that the fall of soul beings was not necessarily a calamity. In that case, the fall of humans was viewed as a manifestation of the weakness found in human beings. That flaw was part of human beings right from creation. To support that claim, Hick asserted that human beings were created not in the â€Å"likeness† of God, but in His â€Å"image†. Therefore, huma n beings are infants spiritually. The creator’s intention was to let humans grow both morally and spiritually. Hick then made the conclusion that evil did not exist as a punishment. The arguments articulated by this theory are very shrewd and convincing. Another strong point of Hick’s theory is that it can easily be adapted to the present-day doctrine. The soul-making project points out that the world is a place where souls grow and develop. Therefore, no one is to go through his/her life as a ready-made person. Human beings have to strive to achieve certain moral values. In the same way, when character is developed gaining certain life experience, is beneficial to a person. Even in modern day life, everything that is achieved through strife is of more value. As Hick puts it, a paradise would not permit humans to develop. The challenges faced and overcome result in more perfect human beings.Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help y ou! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One area of Hick’s soul making project that seems controversial is the claim that God is responsible for the continuation of evil. To those opposing against the theory, claiming that God is responsible for any evil is outrageous. This group believes evil is a making of the human beings themselves. Hick condemned this fall doctrine as a whole. He claimed that that doctrine could not be proved either scientifically or philosophically. According to Hick, it would be historically impossible to prove it because the theory of evolution would refute such a possibility. In addition, philosophically, it would be difficult to conceive the idea of sin in a perfect world. One can argue that even before the fall, the perfection did not mean that humans were ideal. Instead, humans were then uncorrupted. Hick addressed that by making a claim that even if this was true, human beings still needed a reason or a motive to sin. In this case, there should have been an external influence or an internal weakness in humans. Both the scenarios point that God was responsible for either the external force or the internal flaw. The nature of sin, as advocated for by Hick, makes it necessary for human beings to have a reason for sinning. This seems to conflict the nature of sin because it makes it hard to explain. For instance, when a person makes a wrong deed, he or she usually has a choice not to do so. The fact that a person might go ahead and do it means that there is some motivation involved. Whatever action one takes, it always serves to satisfy a certain desire. Those opposing against the claims of the soul-making project make the nature of sin seem inexplicable and irrational. In response to this, Hick questioned why God created creatures acting in an unreasonable and inexplicable way. If one tries to answer this question, one can end up attributing the origin of sin to God. Therefore, my conclusion is that Hi ck’s soul-making project still explains how a perfect God can permit evil in His creation. The opposing claims fail to conceive me. Even using historical and scientific support, it is still difficult to refute Hick’s claims. All the weak points in his theory do not necessarily translate into strong points for the opposing camp. The fall doctrine also fails to attribute sin solely on the free will of the human beings. Therefore, human beings sin because the environment in which God placed them challenges them to do so.

Are women likely to suffer from depression than men Essay

Are women likely to suffer from depression than men - Essay Example Proper treatment would alleviate the symptoms in over 80 percent of the cases. Yet, because depression is often unrecognized, depressed individuals often continue to suffer needlessly. Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience depression. Research continues to explore how this psychological problem affects women. At the same time, it is important for women to increase their awareness of what is already known about depression, so that they seek early and appropriate treatment. Major depression and dysthymia affect twice as many women as men. This two-to-one ratio exists regardless of racial and ethnic background or economic status. The same ratio has been reported in eleven other countries all over the world. Men and women have about the same rate of bipolar disorder (manic depression), though its course in women typically has more depressive and fewer manic episodes. Also, a greater number of women have the rapid cycling form of bipolar disorder, which may be more resistant to standard treatments. Many factors unique to women are suspected to play a role in developing depression. Research is focused on understanding these factors, including: reproductive, hormonal, genetic or other biological factors; abuse and oppression; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and personality characteristics. But, the specific causes of depression in women remain unclear. Many women exposed to these stress factors do not develop depression. Remember, depression is a treatable psychological problem, and treatment is effective for most women The Dimensions of Depression in Women Adolescence:_ Studies show that the higher incidence of depression in females begins in adolescence, when roles and expectations change dramatically. The stresses of adolescence include forming an identity, confronting sexuality, separating from parents, and making decisions for the first time, along with other physical, intellectual, and hormonal changes. These stresses are generally different for boys and girls, and may be associated more often with depression in females. Some researchers have suggested that men and women differ in their expression of emotional problems. In adolescence, boys are more likely to develop behavioral and substance abuse problems, while girls are more likely to become depressed. Adulthood: relationships and work roles Stress can contribute to depression in many people. The higher incidence of depression in women may not be due to greater vulnerability, but to the particular stresses that many women face. These stresses include major responsibilities at home and work, single parenthood, and caring for children and aging parents. Social expectations play a role here as well. In two career families, women are more likely to have responsibility for a greater share of child care and household responsibilities. Role conflict is also an issue, as debate continues regarding whether women need to choose between family and work responsibilities, and about which choice is the "proper" one. Reproductive events:- Women's reproductive events include the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the post pregnancy period, infertility, menopause, and sometimes, the decision not to have children. These events bring fluctuations in mood that for some women include

Small business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Small business - Research Paper Example Quality assurance, in its broadest sense, is also any action taken to prevent quality problems from occurring. In practice, this means devising systems for carrying out tasks which directly affect product quality (Anon., 2011). B. At least two systems associated with the management of quality. Describe their relationships, limitations and applications. There are two popular systems associated with the management of quality that I am aware of, they are Kaizen and Total Quality Management or TQM. Kaizen is a Japanese Quality Assurance system of continuous improvement in quality, technology, processes, company culture, productivity, safety and leadership. It is a system that involves every employee - from upper management to the cleaning crew. Everyone is encouraged to come up with small improvement suggestions on a regular basis. This is not a once a month or once a year activity. It is continuous. Japanese companies, such as Toyota and Canon, a total of 60 to 70 suggestions per employ ee per year are written down, shared and implemented (Anon., 2011). TQM on the other hand is a comprehensive and structured approach to organizational management that seeks to improve the quality of products and services through ongoing refinements in response to continuous feedback (Anon., 2011). TQM requirements may be defined separately for a particular organization or may be in adherence to established standards, such as the International Organization for Standardization's  ISO 9000  series. TQM can be applied. At its core, Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management approach to long-term success through customer satisfaction. In a TQM effort, all members of an organization participate in improving processes, products, services and the culture in which they work (Anon., 2011). C. The main principles that should be included in quality management systems. This should include a systematic approach; documentation of procedures, standards and specifications; innovation; review and audit; measurement and evaluation. Since the business is still new, the best quality assurance approach that is applicable to our company is Kaizen as this allows continuous improvement of the system, policies and procedures that would make the company responsive to the customer’s needs. In the implementation of our intended quality assurance system the following steps will be undertaken; 1. Identification of key tasks – this will make us know the key areas of responsibilities that is important to the over- all performance of the business. 2. Documentation of guidelines on how to do those key tasks, its processes and systems – documented tasks are easier to improve, savings us time and resources. 3. Continuously improve the readability of the documented tasks – the purpose for this is continuous improvement of readability is for easier understanding and communication. 4. Make those informations available to each workstations – this way each em ployee knows the key tasks and how to do them. 5. Create a work flow system considering the key tasks identified and documented – since the company is still new, work process are still to be created for further improvement as the business evolves. II. Choose a business that has an established quality assurance system in place and provide a summary about the business that clearly identifies the sector it operates in (manufacturer, retailer or service), its size, its main operations and its purpose or